CropLife Asia announces new Office Bearers for 2024

SINGAPORE, May 6, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – CropLife Asia, the regional voice of the plant science industry, today announced a new lineup for the organization’s Office Bearers within the Board of Directors. Following the CropLife Asia 2024 Annual General Meeting, changes include the installation of Mr. Rahoul Vijay Kumar Sawani as President of CropLife Asia with immediate effect.

Mr. Rahoul Sawani serves as President, Asia Pacific with Corteva Agriscience. Appointed to this position in 2022, Mr. Sawani is responsible for delivering the company’s regional strategy and overseeing the growth of the business in the Asia-Pacific region. Highly experienced in the agricultural sector, Mr. Sawani has held various positions in across the plant science industry in his 18-year career and was previously Vice-President, South Asia with Corteva Agriscience.

The new roster for the CropLife Asia Office Bearers is as follows:

Rahoul Sawani, President, Asia-Pacific, Corteva Agriscience – President
Pramod Thota, President FMC Asia-Pacific, Vice-President, FMC Corporation – Vice-President
Alexander Berkovskiy, Regional Director, AMEA, Syngenta – Treasurer
Simone Barg, Senior Vice President, Agricultural Solutions Asia Pacific, BASF – Secretary

“As climate change intensifies and farmers in Asia face increasing challenges with crop production, plant science plays an important role in ensuring a robust, resilient and sustainable food system for the region. We’re grateful to have experienced and strong leaders comprising our CropLife Asia Board of Directors at such a consequential time for our region,” said Dr. Siang Hee Tan, Executive Director of CropLife Asia.

About CropLife Asia

CropLife Asia is a non-profit society and the regional organization of CropLife International, the voice of the global plant science industry. We advocate a safe, secure food supply, and our vision is food security enabled by innovative agriculture. CropLife Asia supports the work of 15 member associations across the continent and is led by six member companies at the forefront of crop protection, seeds and/or biotechnology research and development. For more information, visit us at www.croplifeasia.org.

For more information please contact:
Duke Hipp
Director, Public Affairs & Strategic Partnerships
CropLife Asia
Tel: (65) 6221 1615
duke.hipp@croplifeasia.org

(Second overseas roadshow of 2024) MGTO unveils mega roadshow and presentation seminar in Singapore this Thursday (25 April) to tap into overseas markets

SINGAPORE, Apr 23, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Following the first mega overseas roadshow of 2024 held successfully in Tokyo, Japan this March, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) will soon unveil its second overseas promotional event in Singapore. The program includes a four-day roadshow and a presentation & networking seminar namely the “Macao Tourism + MICE Product Updates Seminar & Travel Mart”, to be unveiled in advance this Thursday (25 April). Singaporean visitors and members of the travel trade will be offered a window onto Macao’s strengths as a MICE and travel destination. The event aims to attract more Singaporeans to Macao for leisure and MICE travel, as part of the endeavor to expand the Southeast Asian market.

Macao and Singapore industry operators explore “tourism + MICE”

MGTO will lead a delegation of Macao’s travel trade to Singapore and organize the “Macao Tourism + MICE Product Updates Seminar & Travel Mart” on 25 April. Industry participants from Singapore will be introduced to the strengths of Macao’s tourism and MICE industries. A business networking session will also be held on site for the travel trade from both sides to connect and forge partnerships, in turn boosting mutual visitations.

Spectacular roadshow teems with “tourism +” in Macao

The mega roadshow in Singapore will be held at Suntec City Atrium (Convention Centre) from 25 – 28 April. Designed after Rubik’s Cube, a special space is created with colorful key visual that manifests the vibrant scene of Macao’s cultural diversity and harmony blended with the unique splendor of “tourism +”.

The roadshow will feature numerous themed booths and interactive games. The Economic Development Bureau of Hengqin, the six integrated resort enterprises from Macao and Air Macau will also run booths to promote their newest tourism facilities and products. Singaporean residents can experience Macao from a kaleidoscope of angles.

Multichannel promotional campaign reaches potential visitors

MGTO has progressively unfolded an array of promotional initiatives in advance in Singapore for the mega roadshow. A themed webpage (https://www.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/article/promotion/experience-macao-singapore-roadshow) is launched. Singaporean travel KOL, The Travel Intern, has started spotlighting the event on various platforms since early April. Starting this week, information about the roadshow has been released on radio, newspapers, light boxes, mega exterior LED screens of shopping centres as well as MGTO’s platforms on social media, which widens the event’s presence together with several KOLs’ promotions. It is hoped that the marketing campaign can attract more locals to the event for an experience of Macao’s “tourism +”, in turn boosting visitor arrivals from Singapore and Southeast Asia for international market development.

Average daily Singapore visitor arrivals increase twofold in the first quarter

At present, Singapore ranks as the eighth largest international visitor market for Macao. In the first quarter of 2024, there were 25,623 visitor arrivals from Singapore to Macao. The average daily volume of Singaporean visitors recovered to 82.6% of the level in the first quarter of 2019 and increased by 263.1% compared with the first quarter of 2023. Two airlines (Air Macau and Scoot) currently operate regular direct air service between Macao and Singapore with two flights daily.

Promotional events towards international markets

This year, MGTO actively rolls out mega promotional events. In addition to the mega roadshows in Tokyo and Singapore in March and April respectively, the Office will unfold more roadshows in Jakarta (Indonesia), Seoul (Korea), Bangkok (Thailand) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) for a showcase of Macao’s “tourism +” offerings. To support industry partners to explore business opportunities, destination presentation and networking seminars will be held concurrently for the travel trade there. Moreover, MGTO will continue to engage in major regional and international travel fairs to raise Macao’s international profile and presence as a travel destination.

Enrich special offers to boost destination appeal

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao SAR, MGTO has launched the scheme “My Treats for You” of special travel offers for international visitors (from beyond the Greater China region). To attract international visitations to Macao, 250,000 gifts are rolled out including special offers on air tickets, cross-border transportation, hotel accommodation, dining, entertainment and show tickets. Targeting Singapore as a visitor market, MGTO partners with Air Macau and travel agencies in Singapore and Macao to launch different special offers to attract Singaporean visitors and expand the diversity of travel markets.

About Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO)

Main Responsibilities of Macao Government Tourism Office

In accordance with Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) Government’s strategy of positioning and developing Macao as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) serves as the public entity responsible for implementing, analyzing and assisting in formulating the tourism policies of the Macao SAR to enhance Macao’s reputation as a quality destination.

For more information, visit https://www.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/.

Media contact:
media@macaotourism.gov.mo

Indonesia Ready to Lead Water Governance Transformation at the 10th World Water Forum

JAKARTA, April 23, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – The Indonesian government, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), believes that the 10th World Water Forum, Bali 2024, will be able to generate political consensus among participating heads of state, and achieve the agreements necessary to address the global climate challenge.

The Forum, the largest gathering in the water sector, involves various stakeholders and is co-hosted by the World Water Council and a host city. Held every three years, it has been taking place since 1997, with participants from politics, multilateral institutions, academia, civil society and the private sector.

The Government of the Republic of Indonesia will host the 10th World Water Forum in Bali from 18–25 May 2024. The National Organizing Committee (NOC) is chaired by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut B. Pandjaitan, while the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), Basuki Hadimuljono, will serve as Daily Chairperson.

This year’s Forum will be attended by numerous heads of state, with several former world leaders expressing their intention to be present, considering it necessary to attend. These include the former Presidents of Chile, Hungary, Slovenia, Malawi, Sri Lanka, and Costa Rica. The former Prime Ministers of Belgium, Korea, and Bhutan will also be present.

“With the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have been making efforts to ensure that as many world leaders are in attendance as possible,” said Endra S. Atmawidjaja, Expert Member, Ministry of PUPR, in Jakarta. “Indonesia has achieved success in water governance with local cultural approaches. The Forum involves the various stakeholders, and therefore benefits from best practices implemented by Indonesia, an example for the global community.

“For example, the Subak system in Bali, which has been recognized by UNESCO for its irrigation governance with local wisdom, or Lake Bratan, also in Bali. The Grand Forest Park (Tahura), and the importance of mangroves in supporting water management. These are examples that world leaders and delegates can directly observe,” said Endra.

“Domestic and international media are crucial, as they contribute to the forum’s success and serve as a bridge to disseminate the importance of water management for the sustainability of life in the future. We invite the media to observe and convey the many examples of water governance that we have implemented. From Indonesia to the world,” he added.

The 10th World Water Forum: Main Themes

The 10th World Water Forum in Bali will carry a main theme of “Water for Shared Prosperity.” This gathering of leaders will address and discuss water issues while seeking collective solutions to water governance challenges. The forum will produce a Ministerial Declaration (MD) as a main output, along with concrete deliverables (projects, initiatives, joint actions).

Indonesia will forward four proposals for the Ministerial Declaration (MD), including the establishment of a Centre of Excellence on Water and Climate Resilience (COE), mainstreaming Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) on Small Islands, and the designation of World Lake Day (WLD). Additionally, the MD will include a Compendium of Concrete Deliverables and Actions, an initiative for the follow-up to the 10th World Water Forum.

The World Water Forum & Expo: Bali Itinerary, May 18 ~ 25

The Forum’s opening will take place on Saturday, 18 May at Melasti Beach, with a “Balinese Water Purification Ceremony.” This event, to be attended by 1,500 people, includes Rahina Tumpek Uye (Balinese Hindu ceremony expressing gratitude to animals in human life) and Segara Kerthi (Balinese Hindu ceremony seeking blessings from the sea gods) ceremonies.

The Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park will host the Welcoming Gala Dinner on Sunday, 19 May. The event will be attended by 2,500 people and will consist of 500 VVIP and VIP invitations. 2,000 people have been invited to attend the second location at GWK Lotus Pond.

The Opening Ceremony and High-Level Meeting commence on Monday, 20 May at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC), Nusa Dua. This will be followed immediately by meetings between responsible parties for the political, thematic, and regional processes, as well as bilateral meetings with several heads of state. 5,500 participants will attend.

The Forum’s Fair & Expo opening will be held at Nusa Dua Hall BNDCC on the same day, Monday, 20 May. The Fair & Expo venues will be spread across BNDCC, BICC, and Kuta Beach.

The sessions for political, thematic, and regional processes will be held from 20 – 25 May. Meanwhile, the High-Level Meetings and Ministerial Meetings will take place from 20 May to 21 May.

The Cultural Night (Farewell) will be held at Taman Bhagawan on Friday, 24 May. This event will be attended by 3,000 participants who will be welcomed and presented with Indonesian traditional food, regional dances, and culture.

Lastly, the Closing Ceremony will commence on Saturday, 25 May, at Mangupura Hall. After this event, participants will be taken on field trips, including the Water Museum in Tabanan, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jatiluwih, Lake Batur in Kintamani, and the Cultural Village in Ubud.

Visit The 10th World Water Forum: https://worldwaterforum.org.

Written by TR/Elvira Inda Sari/WW, ANTARA: https://en.antaranews.com.

Please contact:
Usman Kansong, +62 81 678 5320, Director General, Public Information and Communications, Ministry of Communications and Informatics (KOMINFO).
For more news and information, please visit https://infopublik.id.
Speakers and video conference materials at https://s.id/konpers.

The South China Sea: A Nuanced Understanding Required

KUALA LUMPUR, Apr 22, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Leading regional commentator, and analyst, Eddin Khoo, and Crisis Management Centre founder, Nordin Abdullah, are starting a series of talks in the ASEAN region on issues around the South China Sea. The objective of these talks is to achieve a nuanced understanding of the activities surrounding this critical waterway and the potential impact on the corporate sector.

The Malaysia Global Business Forum (MGBF) in collaboration with the Crisis Management Centre will be hosting the first talk in this series in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Wednesday (24 April), titled ‘The South China Sea: Central to ASEAN’s Business Future?’.

Eddin Khoo, a renowned writer, said, “As we approach the half-century anniversary of that most defining of global events – the end of the Vietnam War, the region of the South China Sea appears to be drawn back, whether of its own volition or not, to superpower tensions.”

“Since the end of the Vietnam war, much of this region has devoted itself to economic development, emerging as one of the principal regions for the inflow of capital anywhere in the world, especially in that once lauded period termed ‘The Age of Globalisation’.

“As the period of the end of the age of globalisation is at once cautioned and heralded, and as the South China Sea is marked for a period of superpower contestation, how much, in these past five decades, has the region been able to ‘state a case for itself’?” continued Eddin.

The South China Sea handles roughly USD3.37 trillion in global trade annually, and is crucial for multinational corporations; however, territorial disputes often threaten trade routes and livelihoods dependent on its resources.

Nordin Abdullah said, “Everyone is aware of the obvious geographical choke points. The media have hyped up the spectres of single points of failure in global supply chains and past Black Swan events have produced volumes of analysis laden with hindsight bias.”

“Most bilateral and multilateral efforts relating to activities in the South China Sea are largely government to government. Yet it will be the corporate sector that is impacted first if any significant disruption takes place,” he continued.

Through ancient history, South East Asian nations were connected by extensive maritime trade networks. Trade routes such as the Maritime Silk Road facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies among the numerous kingdoms and empires in the region.

Regional geopolitical tensions could disrupt maritime activities, impacting communities and millions employed in industrial activities dotted along the shores. Effective risk mitigation and crisis response strategies are imperative for corporations investing and operating in the area.

Nordin, who is also the MGBF founding chairman, concluded, “Simple diametrically opposed broad-stroke narratives are no longer sufficient for the corporate sector. A nuanced understanding is required for every organisation in any given jurisdiction. To achieve any level of anticipation, let alone foresight leadership, teams need to work through the data and conduct effective scenario planning.”

Businesses operating in the South China Sea must diversify supply chains, invest in alternative transportation routes, and engage in corporate diplomatic initiatives to safeguard their interest. These will be amongst matters discussed and addressed during the lunch talk in Kuala Lumpur, including the dynamic relationship between business and politics in ASEAN, and how corporations with regional and global supply chains manage potential threats.

The lunch talk will be an in-person event and requires pre-registration. The participation fee is RM138 per person. A special price of RM88 is available for members of the Malaysia Australia Business Council (MABC) and other partner chambers.

For more information, visit this event page on Malaysia Global Business Forum’s website: www.MalaysiaGlobalBusinessForum.com.

About Malaysia Global Business Forum

The Malaysia Global Business Forum (MGBF) was established to empower stakeholders at the intersection of international and Malaysian business. Through government relations, business intelligence, advocacy, media engagement, market research, networking, advisory and business matching, MGBF will continue to explore threats and opportunities with industry leaders and policy makers to ensure that Malaysia becomes a leader in the context of Asia.

For more information, visit www.MalaysiaGlobalBusinessForum.com.

About Crisis Management Centre

The Crisis Management Centre was established to empower individuals, corporations, industry associations and governments to effectively deal with all aspects of crisis. The Crisis Management Centre has been able to pioneer several ground-breaking concepts in the field of crisis management including the “Reputation-Revenue Dynamic”, which is a data-driven, community and communications framework for addressing areas of concern, crisis, and conflict.

For more information, visit www.crisismanagementcentre.com.

For media enquiries, contact:
Sofea Zarina
Assistant Manager, Public Relations
Glenreagh Sdn Bhd
E: sofea@glenreagh.net
W: http://www.glenreagh.net

foundit becomes the Official Talent Partner of the Badminton World Federation (BWF)

SINGAPORE, Apr 22, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – foundit, a leading talent platform in APAC & the Middle East, today announced its partnership with the Badminton World Federation (BWF). This strategic collaboration aims to amplify foundit’s brand presence while championing the spirit of excellence embodied by badminton players worldwide.

The partnership was unveiled during a global virtual media meet in the presence of Sekhar Garisa, CEO foundit, Saurabh Srivastava, CMO foundit, Thomas Lund, Secretary General, BWF, Owen Leed, Director of Commercial and Communications, BWF. As the governing body for badminton, BWF oversees prestigious events such as the Thomas and Uber Cup, Sudirman Cup, and World Tour Events, boasting a global fan base exceeding 700 million.

Through this collaboration with BWF, foundit aims to tap into the excitement and passion surrounding badminton, one of the most followed and played sports. This partnership will enhance foundit’s brand presence and enable it to connect with a diverse audience of job seekers and employers across various industries. foundit will be the Official Talent Partner for 20 significant championships throughout the year, including the highly anticipated Thomas & Uber Cups, All England Open, Malaysia Open, Singapore Open, and the India Open.

Speaking about the partnership, Sekhar Garisa, CEO of foundit, emphasised the shared values of agility, perseverance, and pursuit of excellence that unite badminton players and foundit. “This partnership is a testament to foundit’s unwavering commitment to enabling and connecting the right talent with the right opportunities. Badminton’s immense popularity in our core markets, particularly among young professionals, makes this partnership a powerful tool for engaging with the millions of job seekers and recruiters across the markets.” he added.

Commenting on the association, Thomas Lund, Secretary General/COO, BWF, said, “We are thrilled to partner with foundit, a leading talent platform that shares our passion for excellence and talent development. Badminton is a sport built on dedication, hard work, and the pursuit of success — values that resonate deeply with foundit’s mission. By joining forces, we aim to inspire individuals to reach their full potential and make a lasting impact in their careers.”

foundit further aims to partner with grassroots academies and badminton players from India and Southeast Asia, reflecting its dedication to nurturing talent from grassroots to elite levels. By effectively leveraging these associations, foundit aims to inspire individuals to achieve their full potential in professional pursuits.

About foundit – APAC & Middle East

foundit, formerly Monster (APAC & ME), is a leading talent platform offering comprehensive employment solutions to recruiters and job seekers across APAC & ME. In addition to a powerful AI-powered job search, foundit offers e-learning, assessments, and services related to resume creation, interview preparation, and professional networking. Since its inception, the company has assisted over 90 million job seekers across 18 countries in upskilling and connecting them with the right job opportunities. Over the last two decades, the company has been a leader in the world of recruitment solutions and has recently launched a cutting-edge solution to give recruiters access to passive candidates in addition to active ones. With the use of advanced technology, foundit is seeking to efficiently bridge the talent gap across industry verticals, experience levels, and geographies. Today, foundit is committed to enabling and connecting the right talent with the right opportunities by harnessing the power of deep tech to sharpen hyper-personalised job searches and offer precision hiring. Additionally, foundit has been recognised as a Great Place To Work, reflecting its dedication to fostering a supportive and dynamic work culture.

About BWF

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is the international governing body of the sport of badminton, recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). It was originally the International Badminton Federation (IBF) which was founded on 5 July 1934, before being rechristened the Badminton World Federation in 2006. The purpose and objectives of BWF include regulating, promoting, developing, and popularising the sport of badminton throughout the world and organising, conducting, and presenting international events at the highest level. The BWF’s vision is to make badminton a leading global sport accessible to all – giving every child a chance to play for life. Its mission is to lead and inspire all stakeholders; to deliver entertainment through exciting events to drive fan experience; and to create innovative, impactful, and sustainable development initiatives. BWF has its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with 201 Member Associations worldwide. Poul-Erik Høyer is the BWF President, and Thomas Lund is the BWF Secretary General.

Websites: www.badminton.sport and www.bwf.sport

Contact:
Namrata Sharma
Namrata.sharma@adfactorspr.com
+6581383034

Brawijaya University researcher develops honey-processing tech

MALANG, E. JAVA, Indonesia, Apr 19, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – A researcher from the Faculty of Agricultural Technology of Brawijaya University, Anang Lastriyanto, has developed a technology for processing honey that is expected to provide added value to the product.

A researcher from the Faculty of Agricultural Technology of Brawijaya University, Anang Lastriyanto, with honey and powdered honey produced with the technology he developed, in Malang city, East Java, on Wednesday (April 3, 2024). — Anang Lastriyanto, a researcher from the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Brawijaya University, produces honey and powdered honey with technology he has developed. (Image: ANTARA FOTO, 16/Apr/24)

According to Lastriyanto, his research took 3.5 years to produce powdered honey through an integrated process. “Not many people can create this technology on how to process honey into powder,” he says.

The first stage of the research, which was funded by the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education Agency, involved developing the initial steps for the honey-processing process and producing a prototype of the tools used.

In the first year, honey was processed using pasteurization and rapid cooling or vacuum cooler methods, he informed. The development of the honey-processing process continued in the second year with the aim of increasing production to an industrial scale.

To increase production, pasteurization was used in processing, but the end product contained foam, indicating that the honey was not of good quality. “Honey becomes foamy when heated, so quality assurance and processing time are not necessarily guaranteed,” he explained.

However, Lastriyanto said, through rapid cooling after pasteurization, the problem of foam production during heating was resolved. In addition, the water content in the processed honey was reduced.

Thus, in the two years of research a number of processes were introduced, starting with pasteurization, rapid cooling, foam removal, and water content reduction. The four processes were integrated into a honey-processing technology, or “4 in 1” process.

“4 in 1 is a process of heating, cooling quickly, removing foam, and reducing water,” he said. He explained that in the third year of the technology’s development, the focus was on producing powdered honey, of which the most important process is formulation.

“In the process of (making) powdered honey, the most important thing is the formulation. We are targeting this formulation for acacia honey. Because breeders of acacia forest honey are facing hardship to market their products since prices have fallen,” he said.

The formulation process was carried out through a gradual process of research and evaluation of results. The formulation, which is currently being patented, was then continued with the heating process of the formulated honey.

Once heated, the mixture expands and then dries into lumps. The chunks are cooled, and then ground into powdered honey. “When exposed to heat, the mixture expands. The honey is protected by the (formulated) ingredients and becomes encapsulated,” he said.

Ultimately, in the course of his 3.5-year research, Lastriyanto managed to produce integrated processed honey, powdered honey, as well as a machine to process honey.

In the long term, powdered honey is expected to become a raw material for the industrial sector, both for domestic and international markets. The final product can also be used to supply needs in countries in Africa and Southeast Asia.

Brawijaya University: https://prasetya.ub.ac.id
Written: Vicki Febrianto/Yashinta Difa, Editor: A Malik Ibrahim, COPYRIGHT © ANTARA 2024

Montage of Singapore Season 2 Launches to Acclaim: Promoting unity across Singapore through insightful conversations

SINGAPORE, Apr 15, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Montage of Singapore Season 2, a pioneering initiative aimed at fostering national integration and unity, today unveiled its 6 episodes at One Farrer Hotel, Singapore. The event provided a vital platform for open, respectful dialogue on topics central to Singapore’s diverse cultural landscape. Present for the event were Renuka Bhagat Arora, Masti Media Network, Desmond Tan CCMC Chair, QueenTown, Biren Desai, Singapore Gujarati Society; David Soh, Chair Harmony Circle, Prantik Mazumdar, President TiE Singapore, Dr Alicia Altorfer-Ong, Deputy General Manager, Ray of Hope, to name a few. Montage of Singapore Season 1 was celebrated by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) in their newsletter as one of the top three shows showcasing Singapore’s diverse tapestry. The series’ primary objective is to unite residents and build a cohesive nation.

Renuka Bhagat Arora, Founder, Masti Media Network, dressed in black at the center of the bottom row, along with Season 2 panelists

The episodes of Montage of Singapore Season 2 are set to debut on digital platforms – Masti Media Network’s LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/mastimedianetwork), Facebook (www.facebook.com/radiomasti24x7) and Youtube (www.youtube.com/@RadioMasti24x7Singapore/streams) handle from April 15-20, 2024, daily 6:00 p.m.

Conceived in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), Montage of Singapore Season 2 has solidified its position as a beacon of harmony and inclusivity within the nation. Championed by Masti Media Network and endorsed by the National Integration Council, the series embodies a collective effort to celebrate Singapore’s rich multicultural fabric and promote social cohesion. Montage of Singapore extends heartfelt gratitude to its esteemed panelists, partnering organizations, and production partners for their unwavering support and commitment. Special thanks are extended to Peoples Association, Harmony Circle, SINDA, Republic Polytechnic, Ray of Hope, Singapore Kindness Movement, The Art Of Living, TiE Singapore, vLookUp.ai, ACRES for their invaluable contributions to the success of the series. The Production partner for the series is : Nin9 Studios and Digital Media Partner is Radio Masti 24×7.

Season 2 of Montage of Singapore features insightful episodes, each delving into crucial facets of national integration. From celebrating Singapore’s cultural tapestry to exploring the altruistic spirit of its residents, the series encapsulates the essence of unity in diversity. Noteworthy panelists, including esteemed figures such as- Anbarasu Rajendran (CEO SINDA), Dr William Wan (Singapore Kindness Movement), Manisha Seewal ( Corporate Leader and Community Volunteer), Rahul Gokhale (Corporate Leader and Volunteer, ACRES) , Preeti Dubey (Leadership Coach and Community Volunteer),Shailesh Venkatesh (Banker and Volunteer Art of Living), Ravi Agarwal (Diversity Coach & Facilitator), Nilanjana Sengupta (Author), Desmond Tan (CCMC Chair, Queenstown Community Centre), Krishnamani Kannan(Investor and Multipreneur), Kanchana Gupta (Founder vLookUp.ai and Diversity Champion), Narinder J Singh (Entrepreneur, Investor, Philanthropist), Dr Alicia Altorfer-Ong, (Ray of Hope), Priyali Kamath (Corporate Diversity Leader), Sanjana Singh (Student Nanyang Polytechnic), Ika Khairiah (Artist), Priyadarshini Sharma (Corporate Leader and DEI Champion), Somnath Adak, (Chairman ICAI SG), Amit Gupta (Chairman TiE Global) , Nurina Syakirah (Republic Poly), Tan Guo Jun and Radha Govinda Dasa (Republic Polytechnic).

Renuka Bhagat Arora,Founder, Masti Media Network quips, “Montage of Singapore Season 2 reaffirms our unwavering commitment to fostering inclusivity, empathy, and unity within our diverse community. Through ongoing engagement and meaningful dialogue, we aspire to cultivate a future where the richness of diversity is embraced, and a harmonious spirit of unity thrives.”

About Montage of Singapore Season 2

About Masti Media Network

Masti Media Network, acclaimed for its flagship brand Radio Masti 24×7, is the premier live Bollywood radio station serving Southeast Asia. Established in 2009. Masti Media Network is a reliable media partner for Singapore’s Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Ministry of Communications and Information, and Ministry of Manpower. Evolving from its initial three-hour daily broadcasts on Mediacorp XFM96.3, Masti Media Network expanded in 2016 to become a 24/7 independent digital platform with cutting-edge studios. The network now creates visually compelling series of national importance, with support from the National Integration Council. For further details visit-https://radiomasti.com.sg/index.html.

For more information, contact:
ganesh@mettai.world
www.mettai.world

Annual hiring demand declines 22% in Singapore: foundit Insights Tracker

SINGAPORE, Mar 28, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – foundit (formerly Monster APAC & ME), one of the leading talent platforms, today published the foundit Insights Tracker (fit) for February 2024, formerly published as Monster Employment Index (MEI). According to the fit report for Singapore, job roles across sectors have declined, indicating broader economic challenges confronting both Singapore and the global economy.

The tracker also reveals a year-on-year (YoY) decline of (-22%) in e-recruitment, as the index dropped from 138 in Feb 2023 to 108 in Feb 2024. Additionally, a month-on-month (MoM) analysis also indicated a decrease – thus reflecting an unequivocal job market. The declining index values signal an opportunity in the labour market for job seekers to invest in upskilling, thereby aligning their qualifications more closely with employer expectations.

Commenting on Singapore’s job trends for February 2024, Sekhar Garisa, CEO, foundit, said, “Our findings indicate that there is a strong demand for the talent alongside a discrepancy in the job seeker profiles available in Singapore market. Singapore has always been the doorway for economic development in Southeast Asia and foundit is committed towards harnessing this talent pool further. Our latest cutting-edge recruitment platform directly addresses the issues faced by recruiters. Recruiters now have access to a holistic recruitment solution. They can now access talent from both active and passive sources, candidate profiles enriched with Smart Insights, AI-powered Magic Search that provides personalised search results and sophisticated outreach and collaboration tools. We have been dedicated to doing more than just problem-solving since rebranding in 2022—rather, we want to anticipate and create for the future.”

Keeping the above scenario in mind, foundit has further launched our cutting-edge hiring solution, which has brought an 80% improvement in the recruiter productivity. The app helps recruiters evaluate and select individuals based on their relevant skills and abilities, over more conventional credentials like academic degrees.

Import/Export Sector recorded a positive (+1%) annual growth in hiring activity, while the BFSI, IT/ Telecom/ISP, and the Advertising, Market Research, Public Relations, Media, and Entertainment industries recorded a substantial deceleration in hiring activity, with a YoY decrease of (-36%), (-35%) and (-32%) respectively. This trend can be attributed to economic slowdowns, recessions, or uncertainties that lead to reduced investments, and lower demand for services.

When it comes to the hiring trends in the functional areas, legal is the sole function to exhibit a positive growth trend. The Software / Hardware / Telecom, Finance & Accounts and Real Estate demonstrated a weakened annual demand in hiring in February’24 at (-50%), (-34%) and (-32%), thus indicating the most significant decline in e recruitment amongst all monitored functions.

The decline can primarily be attributed to significant advancements in technology, particularly in artificial intelligence, which have enabled the widespread adoption of automated customer service solutions.

Moreover, businesses are undergoing transformations and reassessing their expenses, seeking to integrate as many technological innovations as possible to reduce costs.

The foundit Insights Tracker is a comprehensive monthly analysis of online job posting activity conducted by foundit. Based on a real-time review of millions of employer job opportunities culled from a large, representative selection of online career outlets, the foundit Insights Tracker (FIT) presents a snapshot of employer online recruitment activity nationwide.

Period for the report

The period considered for the foundit Insights Tracker (fit) data is Feb 2023 to Feb 2024

About foundit – APAC & Middle East

foundit, formerly Monster (APAC & ME), is a leading talent platform offering comprehensive employment solutions to recruiters and job seekers across APAC & ME. Since its inception, the company has assisted over 75 million registered users to find jobs, upskill, and connect with the right opportunities across 18 countries. Additionally, foundit has been recognised as a Great Place to Work, reflecting its dedication to fostering a supportive and dynamic work culture.

Over the last two decades, the company has been a catalyst in the world of recruitment solutions with advanced technology, seeking to efficiently bridge the talent gap across industry verticals, experience levels, and geographies. Today, foundit is committed to enabling and connecting the right talent with the right opportunities by harnessing the power of deep tech to sharpen hyper-personalised job searches, and precision hiring. foundit strongly believes that a job title doesn’t define one’s potential and leverages technology to dig deeper to curate opportunities central to the needs and aspirations of each user.

To learn more, about foundit in APAC & Gulf, Visit:
Philippines: https://www.foundit.com.ph
Malaysia: https://www.foundit.my
India: https://www.foundit.in
Gulf: https://www.founditgulf.com
Singapore: https://www.foundit.sg
Hong Kong: https://www.foundit.com.hk
Indonesia: https://www.foundit.id

Contact:
Namrata Sharma
Namrata.sharma@adfactorspr.com
+6581383034

Philippines Achieves Record-Breaking 18% Annual Surge in Hiring Activity for February 2024: foundit Insights Tracker

Manila, Philippines, Mar 28, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – foundit (formerly Monster APAC & ME), one of the leading talent platforms, today published the foundit Insights Tracker (fit) for February 2024, which was formerly known as Monster Employment Index (MEI). According to the Philippines FIT report, February 24’ recorded an exponential rise in hiring activity, with the index climbing to 150, marking a significant increase from the previous value of 127 registered in February 2023. This surge indicates a substantial leap in hiring activity, highlighting the dynamic growth of the job market.

The tracker recorded an impressive (+13%) rise in hiring activity month-on-month, with January 2023 reflecting an index value of 133. The latest insights from the tracker reveal a remarkable (+17%) growth observed over the past three months, reflecting a dynamic transformation in the recruitment landscape. This transformation is propelled by the rapid integration of emerging technologies, which are reshaping conventional practices and opening new avenues for talent acquisition. It reflects the resilience and adaptability of the Philippines job market amidst shifting technological and economic dynamics.

Commenting on the Philippines job trends for February 2024, Sekhar Garisa, CEO, foundit, said, “The notable increase in hiring activity showcased by the foundit Insights Tracker underscores the resilient and dynamic nature of the Philippines job market. Our findings emphasise the significant influence of emerging technologies on recruitment strategies, indicating a transformative change in talent acquisition methods. In the face of shifting economic conditions, businesses must adapt and harness technological advancements to meet the increasing demands of the workforce effectively.”

The Retail, Education, and Logistics, Courier/Freight/Transportation, and Shipping sectors lead the surge in hiring activity, while the IT, Telecom/ISP, Consumer Goods/FMCG, Food & Packaged Food industries, and Healthcare witness an annual decline in recruitment.

Remarkable growth was observed in 9 out of the 12 monitored industries in February 2024. The Retail sector experienced an extraordinary surge of (+49%) outpacing all other sectors. This surge is attributed to the rise of mobile commerce, fuelled by the increasing adoption of digital payments. Similarly, the Education industry saw a significant increase of (+42%), while heightened demand in social commerce drove a (+36%) surge in hiring within the Logistics, Courier/Freight/Transportation, and Shipping sectors.

However, the IT, Telecom/ISP sector witnessed a notable annual reduction in hiring activity (-21%), although it experienced a (+6%) growth over the last three months. Sectors such as Consumer Goods/FMCG, Food & Packaged Food (-17%) and Healthcare (-4%) reported significant annual decreases in hiring activity in February 2024.

BPO/ITES, BFSI, Production/Manufacturing, Automotive and Ancillary, Hospitality, Engineering, Construction, Real Estate, and Advertising, MR, PR, Media & Entertainment Sectors show positive annual growth trends.

Despite challenges, certain sectors experienced positive annual upticks. Notably, the BPO/ITES sector recorded a (+13%) increase annually, bouncing back with a (+16%) surge in jobs over the previous month.

Additionally, sectors including BFSI (+4%), Production/Manufacturing, Automotive and Ancillary (+8%), Hospitality (+8%) Engineering, Construction, Real Estate (+14%), and Advertising, MR, PR, Media & Entertainment (+16%) exhibited positive growth trends annually in February 2024.

Online recruitment activity surpassed the year-ago level in 7 of the 10 occupation groups monitored by the tracker. Purchase/Logistics/Supply Chain (+50%) professionals witnessed remarkable demand, marking a double-digit growth over the last month. HR & Admin roles (+27%) followed closely with substantial growth, alongside Marketing & Communications job roles (+26%) driven by the rise of personalised marketing strategies.

Despite challenges encountered by specific functions such as Healthcare (-4%) Sales & Business Development (-1%) and Hospitality & Travel (-1%), there was notable growth in Customer Service roles (+17%) that witnessed a significant 16% growth [PS1] over the last month alone. Additional roles experiencing a rise in hiring activity in February’24 include Engineering/Production/Real Estate (+7%), Finance & Accounts (+3%), and Software, Hardware, Telecom (+3%). Particularly, Software, Hardware, and Telecom roles witnessed an 8% growth in the last three months, primarily driven by significant demand in IoT and AI/ML.

Period for the report

The period considered for the foundit Insights Tracker (FIT) data is February 2023 to February 2024.

About foundit – APAC & Middle East

foundit, formerly Monster (APAC & ME), is a leading talent platform offering comprehensive employment solutions to recruiters and job seekers across APAC & ME. Since its inception, the company has helped over 90 million registered users find jobs, upskill, and connect with the right opportunities across 18 countries. Additionally, foundit has been recognised as a Great Place To Work, reflecting its dedication to fostering a supportive and dynamic work culture.

Over the last two decades, the company has been a catalyst in the world of recruitment solutions with advanced technology, seeking to efficiently bridge the talent gap across industry verticals, experience levels, and geographies. Today, foundit is committed to enabling and connecting the right talent with the right opportunities by harnessing the power of deep tech to sharpen hyper-personalised job searches, and precision hiring. foundit strongly believes that a job title doesn’t define one’s potential and leverages technology to dig deeper and curate opportunities central to the needs and aspirations of each user.

To learn more, about foundit in APAC & Gulf, Visit:
Malaysia: https://www.foundit.my
Philippines: https://www.foundit.com.ph
India: https://www.foundit.in
Gulf: https://www.founditgulf.com
Singapore: https://www.foundit.sg
Hong Kong: https://www.foundit.com.hk
Indonesia: https://www.foundit.id

Contact:
Namrata Sharma
Namrata.sharma@adfactorspr.com
+6581383034

W Capital Markets Partners with VCI Global to Offer Comprehensive Capital Markets Strategy Services to List Clients on the NASDAQ

SINGAPORE, Mar 25, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – W Capital Markets Pte. Ltd. (“W Capital”) has entered into a collaboration agreement with VCI Global Limited (NASDAQ: VCIG) (“VCI Global”), for the purpose of introducing prospective clients to one another.

VCI Global is a diversified holding company which primarily offers consulting services in capital markets, real estate, AI, and technology. In technology businesses, the company operates a proprietary financing platform that serves companies and individuals, as well as a secured messaging platform serving governments and organizations. VCI Global also invest, incubate, accelerate, and commercialize businesses and technologies in AI, robotics, and gamification.

Under this collaboration agreement, VCI Global will introduce clients, to W Capital, who may have an interest in the investment banking services offered by W Capital and will collaborate with W Capital to jointly advise clients with interest in seeking initial public offering listings on the stock exchanges in the United States, particularly the Nasdaq Capital Markets.

“We are confident that this collaboration will create significant value for our clients who intend to seek a listing on the Nasdaq Capital Markets by providing them with access to the combined expertise and resources of W Capital and VCI Global to help them navigate the IPO process successfully. Furthermore, clients introduced by VCI Global will gain access to our full suite of bespoke investment banking services, including M&A and trade sale advisory and private equity growth capital fund raising, and clients may also be able to tap into pre-IPO funding provided by W Capital Private Equity VCC, an associate of W Capital which invests in small to mid-cap companies from Series B to Pre-IPO stage, to bridge their funding needs prior to their planned IPO” said Wayne Lee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of W Capital.

“This collaboration will enable both parties to leverage on each other’s strength. In the case of VCI Global, this collaboration will enlarge our pool of potential clients seeking to be listed in the United States, which undoubtedly will further increase our earnings into the medium term at the very least. Of course, we are pleased to be able to reciprocate W Capital’ actions by passing clients to them with interest in investment banking services,” said Dato’ Victor Hoo, Group Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of VCI Global.

About W Capital Markets Pte. Ltd.

W Capital is a holder of the Capital Markets Services (“CMS”) licence issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore to conduct the regulated activities of “Advising on Corporate Finance” and “Dealing in Capital Market Products that are Securities and units in a Collective Investment Scheme” and is an accredited IPO Mainboard Issue Manager and Catalist Full Sponsor authorised by the SGX. W Capital provides a full suite of bespoke investment banking services, including M&As, IPOs, Pre-IPO & secondary fund raising and financial advisory, with a focus on mid-cap companies (S$50 million to S$1 billion enterprise value) in the Asia Pacific region.

For more information on W Capital, please visit our website at https://www.wcapitalmarkets.com.sg.

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For media queries relating to this press release, please contact:
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